In 1776 in Norfolk, Virginia Captain William Smith was tarred and feathered by a mob which included the mayor of Norfolk apparently.
The feathery cosmetics applied to his new appearance, he was then thrown into the harbor.
He almost drowned before being rescued by a passing ship.
He was suspected of sharing secrets about a local ship owner John Gilcrest smuggling goods, with British officials.
The British supposedly discussed possible punishments for the Boston rebellion to which they concluded, “Americans can not be reasoned with but prefer tar and feathering.”
The 1791 Whiskey Rebellion also saw its use by revolting Pennsylvania farmers tarring federal U.S. tax agents who had come to collect.
The 1774 tarring of British tax collector John Malcolm who tarred and feathered not once but twice!
In 1832 Joseph Smith the polygamous founder of American Mormonism was once dragged out of bed and given feathers by way of tar.
The Punishment
To tar and feather someone who has earned enough public criticism that they have invited such a punishment the person was stripped naked.
The next step was to cover the person in tar by way of wiping, smearing, or dumping it over the person.
The tar was likely from the pine tar the Colonies were accustomed to distilling for its use on preserving the wood of ships from rot.
Pine creates charcoal and pine tar when heated up.
This pine tar is naturally a sticky substance making it a perfect material for applying to someone who is about to be covered in feathers.
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